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Sometimes all we need is a little inspiration kick to get our creative juices flowing. Maybe your secret is to go for a short walk, have a little chat with a colleague, or scroll through your favorite eye candy resources. Whatever it might be that helps you get new ideas, we, too, have something for you that could work just as good: desktop wallpapers.

To bring you a regular dose of unique and inspiring wallpapers, we embarked on our monthly wallpapers mission1 eight years ago. Each month, artists and designers from across the globe diligently contribute their works to it. And well, it wasn’t any different this time around. This post features their artwork for March 2017. The wallpapers all come in versions with and without a calendar. Time to freshen up your desktop!

Please note that:

All images can be clicked on and lead to the preview of the wallpaper,

You can feature your work in our magazine2 by taking part in our Desktop Wallpaper Calendars series. We are regularly looking for creative designers and artists to be featured on Smashing Magazine. Are you one of them?

Wake Up!

“Early spring in March is for me the time when the snow melts, everything isn’t very colorful. This is what I wanted to show. Everything comes to life slowly, as this bear. Flowers are banal, so instead of a purple crocus we have a purple bird-harbinger.” — Designed by Marek Kedzierski64 from Poland.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

“March the 2nd marks the birthday of the most creative and extraordinary author ever, Dr. Seuss! I have included an inspirational quote about learning to encourage everyone to continue learning new things everyday.” — Designed by Safia Begum149 from the United Kingdom.

Waiting For Spring

“Don’t get me wrong, I like winter and snow, but in Austria where I live there was not much of it this year. It is still cold and moody, and I think by now I’m ready for spring!” — Designed by Izabela Grzegorczyk199 from Poland.

March Forth!

“Instead of focusing on St. Patrick’s day, I decided to feature my favorite March pun in textured handlettering. In this month – especially on the Fourth – it’s a great time time to grab life by the shamrocks and make it count. Now go march forth!” — Designed by Phil Scroggs212 from Seattle, WA, USA.

Jingzhe

“Jīngzhé is the third of the 24 solar terms in the traditional East Asian calendars. The word 驚蟄 means ‘the awakening of hibernating insects’. 驚 is ‘to start’ and 蟄 means ‘hibernating insects’. Traditional Chinese folklore says that during Jingzhe, thunderstorms will wake up the hibernating insects, which implies that the weather is getting warmer.” — Designed by Sunny Hong255 from Taiwan.

The Bold And The Beautiful

“When we celebrate the achievements of women, of how far they have come, we’re actually celebrating the fact that no power on earth can rein a woman who can dream. Here’s to the women who with their lives are setting an example to the next generation of boys and girls what it means to be a woman. That femininity is not just about looking pretty but it is also about being bold, courageous and strong-willed. Happy Women’s Day.” — Designed by Acodez IT Solutions305 from India.

Freedom In March

“Freedom should always be peaceful and respectful. Present your opinion peacefully through your art and let people see it and respect it.” — Designed by Hatim M. M. Yousif Al-Sharif348 from the United Arab Emirates.

KaTgirl

“Just two weeks ago the world lost a wonderful artist and my beloved brother/sister, Ken/Kat – also known as ‘Psychedelic Rainbow KaTgirl Superstar DJ’. This wallpaper was created inspired by her designs – and for all those who miss her – that may she live on.” — Designed by Katherine Appleby512 from Australia.

Digital Spring

“We must enjoy life and its many wonders whenever the opportunity presents itself and then accept whatever consequences may come with an equal amount of vigor and enthusiasm.” — Designed by Roxi Nastase584 from Romania.

Life On Mars

“Since the month March is derivated from the planet Mars, I decided to make a wallpaper with the planet Mars in the universe. And when I heard that they discovered several new planets in our galaxy where there could be life, I chose to put a green marsian on the planet. Maybe one day we will all live on another planet.” — Designed by Melissa Bogemans627 from Belgium.

Please note that we respect and carefully consider the ideas and motivation behind each and every artist’s work. This is why we give all artists the full freedom to explore their creativity and express emotions and experience throughout their works. This is also why the themes of the wallpapers weren’t anyhow influenced by us, but rather designed from scratch by the artists themselves.

fall

Maud

I’m very grateful for those wallpapers. I use them at home and at work. And my colleagues love them too.
I tend to stick with European designers though, because US designers used the Sunday-start week. Unfortunately it confuses me since culturally, it’s not how the week works over here.
So yeah, I want to thank all of the designers for their work. Have a great month!

1

3

Zach Atkinson

Mso Bal

I love KaTgirl and Colorful. One reminds of stars in the night and the other reminds me of a gorgeous, sunny day. Love, love, love the color themes. I too look forward to these every month and have been for years. I have also recommended these to co-workers as well.

Tild Dallelie

I’m another one of those people who look forward to these wallpapers each month and have them on my desktops at home and at work. I can’t even guess at how many times over the years someone has said to me “Where did you get that wallpaper? It’s beautiful!” …and so I have sent them over here to Smashing Magazine for this great designer showcase every month.

This month is truly spectacular! I can’t remember another month when I loved so many of the choices. They are all wonderful, but if I had to choose some favorites I would have to say

Spring Bird

Wake Up!

It Just Blooms

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Jingzhe

KaTgirl

Rain Rain Don’t Go Away

Thank you to all! Great work. :)

2

13

Mark W Jarrell

Is there any way that we can get more consistency in the URLs for these wallpaper posts? I had a script that was automatically downloading wallpapers for me based on the URL up until December when things changed. Now I’ve had to go back to my old method of searching on the site for the post and downloading it manually. The wallpapers are always amazing and appreciated!

Tild Dallelie

The elephant-headed entity that is depicted is Ganesha, one of the Hindu gods. He is revered as a remover of obstacles, patron of arts and sciences, intellect and wisdom. He is also considered the god of beginnings. He has his own sect of followers, who consider him the supreme deity in the Hindu pantheon.

How you turned that into “celebrating Female Supremacy” I don’t know, but you have my sincere best wishes for your continued health and happiness.

0

23

tulpoeid

Lately some men tend to feel insulted by women every waking moment and regardless of what really happens around them — like in this case. You also have my sincere wishes for recovery without hurting any of the women in your immediate environment.

1

24

Katherine

I just want to say a personal thank you for including my design – a tribute to my big brother (and sister!) Ken. He was an amazing artist himself – and so incredibly supportive of all artists – and really, he was supportive of everyone who was trying to live a life authentic to who they are… He was the most loving person I know… I was and will always be so proud of him – and so blessed to be his little sister. I will miss him always. Thank you once again for including my tribute. Kathy.

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Sheryljkt

I have enjoyed these wallpapers for years, and like others, many people ask me where I get them from. I always direct them to Smashing Magazine! The March wallpapers are probably the best batch I have ever seen. Thanks so much for “Freedom In March” it’s just what is needed around the world!

Penguin

tulpoeid

tulpoeid

Actually these two, Supremacy and Colorful, are among my all-time favourites. May I ask for monthly versions for each of the coming months? :) I got the no-calendar versions, but they are not the same :)

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